National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1887-06-10
FLOWER MISSION DAY.
GENERAL OBSERVANCE OF THE Gus
TON THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.


Yesterday was "Flower Mission day."
and II was observed in every city and town
OF the United States where the w. G. 7. u.
is represented. The day has been set apart
by the union for the distribution of Aotal
membranes to the inmates Of public
hospitals and the prisons.
Yesterday morning Mrs. @. N. whitney,
who had charge OF the distribution work at
the jail and Woman's Hospital, started on
her mission, accompanied by Mesdames
Bradley. Barbour, Hendrickson, Page,
Mofrett, and Bugbee, and Mrs. Pope. They
first went to the jail, where at IL o'clock
they held "a religious service In the rotunda.
Mrs. Hendrickson presided, and gave a
scriptural reading. Mrs. Barbour
offered prayer, after which Mrs.
Hendrickson recited 1.-THE Drunk
ards WILL" Miss Lackey, OF Philadelphia,
OF the jail, taking for her text the title of
the recitation by Mrs. Hendrickson. She
spoke at some length, and with much feel
ing depicted the evils Of intemperance, and
pointed to Christianity aud the pledge as
the hope of those who are addicted to
drinking. When the services were over the
ladies presented each OF those present with
pretty bouquet of fresh flowers, each tied
with white ribbon, the badge OF the union,
Gratitude was shown by all, the bright
flowers being treasured as O very rare pos
session. The ladies then went through the
Jail and visited each cell, presenting
those behind the bars with bouquets,
and spent q few minutes talking to
them. One old man was deeply touched by
the little kindness and broke down In sobs
In, hta 80 IL.
oners pinned the p0ses on the lapel OF their
coats, and all caressed the blossoms and
seemed delighted with them. Mrs. DIR.
Newman arrived at the jail later with a
stack OF Testaments which she distributed.
The party afterward went to the Woman's
Hospital, distributing in oil about $50
bouquets.
The Columbia, Garfield, and Homeo-
pathic Hospitals were visited by Mrs. Co
hen, accompanied by Miss Kessler and Mrs.
Watkins, each OF whom wore white rib
bon badge. They carried with them 800
bouquets. They went through the free
wards Of all the hospitals, and, stopping at
each bedside, gave cheering word to the
patients as the flowers were presented.
There were many touching scenes.
At Providence Hospital one Of the ladies,
upon reaching the bedside of 12-year-old
boy who had had his foot cut off two months
previously by On accident, held out her
flowers. The little fellow was pale-faced
and weak, but he frightened up and eagerly
caught the flowers. He seemed to devour
them with his eyes, and smelled them time
, and again. At another bedside where an old
woman lay quite Ill the offerings were well
F, coined with profuse thanks.
"These are the first flowers have had this
season." she said, land these are such fresh
ones"
A little girl who was suffering from a
spine disease which had Frustrated her for
several years caressed the roses and hello.
tropes given her with the greatest fondness
Then she persuaded an attendant to bring
her box Of earth, and In 1t she stuck one
| OF the rose bud stems. at will grow and
will have lots Of roses by and by" she
said.
Mrs. Human and Mrs. Weaver visited the
Children's Hospital and distributed about
fifty bouquets.
The workhouse, mems hospital, and thu
| poorhouse were not visited, as flowers were
distributed there two weeks ago.